Arizona writers and photographers are blessed with an abundance of subject matter. The state's history, geology and scenery offer a wide range of story and photographic opportunities. Here is a sampling of recent books by Arizona authors who have delved into the state's heritage.

Travel back in time to a place where soda shops were groovy, road trips were hip and touristy trading posts were all the rage --a long-vanished age that lingers along Historic Route 66. Forged westward roughly along the 35th parallel, Route 66 became the "Main Street" of America. As the road pounded its way across the country, little towns popped up around, it making Route 66 the actual main street of hundreds of towns across America.

Government plans to more than double the size of Petrified Forest National Park appear to be in jeopardy because Congress has failed to come up with the cash to buy surrounding properties it approved for expansion in 2004.